Job Description
Senior Risk Specialist
The Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) - Head Office
Salary: £56,754 per annum
Band: F
Hours: Full time
Contract Type: Open Ended.
Location: Polaris House, Swindon, Wiltshire - Hybrid working available.
Closing Date: 23/02/25
The Senior NERC Risk Specialist will work with the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Head of Risk to create, lead and sustain a comprehensive risk management programme for NERC. They will be responsible for the development, implementation and communication of robust risk management framework arrangements for NERC including the implementation of UKRI risk and assurance policies and processes. They will provide advice, support and challenge on risk and assurance and work with colleagues to establish a positive risk management culture and progress risk management maturity in NERC.
Responsibilities
* Develop and implement robust risk management arrangements for NERC in-line with UKRI requirements.
* As a qualified risk professional, develop and implement appropriate a NERC risk management framework and support arrangements that are innovative, provide the agility to respond to internal and external changes in environment, meet NERC requirements and align with UKRIs overall risk policy, strategy and overall framework, ensuring compliance with relevant international and Government standards and best practice for risk management.
* Work with senior leaders, risk owners and managers within NERC to identify and assess threats to NERC, put plans in place for if things go wrong and decide how to avoid, reduce or transfer risk.
* Constructively challenge and advise very senior stakeholders on all aspects across UKRI.
* Report on risk in an appropriate way for different audiences, for example, to the NERC Executive to review and challenge NERC top risks and mitigating actions; to the NERC Council and its sub-committees so they understand the most significant risks; to Directorates to ensure they are aware of risks relevant to their parts of the business; and to individuals to understand their accountability for individual risks.
* Play an essential role within the NERC assurance framework and attend the NERC Assurance Board and other assurance meetings including those specific to operational areas. They will take an active role in working with teams in NERC to integrate risk and assurance procedures to the NERC risk and assurance frameworks, with an initial focus on working with the Major Programmes Directorate.
* Provide support, education and training to staff to build risk awareness within NERC, aligned to UKRI risk management requirements.
* Establish and support a network of risk champions across NERC and implement an approach to risk reviews.
* Advise NERC on emerging areas of risk, review new programmes and processes to identify potential risks.
* Build and maintain excellent working relationships staff at all levels including the NERC Executive Chair, Directors and external Council and Committee members.
* Lead by example, ensure staff understand their role and can develop their skills and make a positive contribution to the work of the team.
Person Specification
Essential:
* Risk Management Diploma or similar qualification or 5 years experience in risk management in a complex organisation.
* An experienced risk professional
* Strong understanding and working knowledge of prevailing governance, risk and assurance standards and public-sector rules including:
o International risk standards
o Government risk standards
o Risk management best practice
o Understand of Assurance and Assurance Map
o Managing Public Money
o HM Treasury and Cabinet Office standards and rules, particularly in relation to: Corporate Governance; Risk management; Spending Controls; Regularity and Propriety (conflicts of interest, gifts and hospitality, ethics)
o FRC Corporate Governance Code and its public-sector equivalent
* Strong risk management experience, including developing, supporting and implementing effective risk management strategies, policy, and frameworks in an organisation.
* Experience of developing and delivering training
* Significant experience in providing high quality written risk and assurance reports and analysis, and verbal advice suitable for executive and senior level decision makers including Boards and Committees and being a trusted advisor to senior management.
* Ability to innovate and challenge established thinking in self and others, and to offer insights and ideas with practical application coupled with the ability to drive change.
* Excellent leadership skills with an ability to inspire, motivate and develop capability within a team to deliver quality outcomes.
* Experience of working with internal and external Auditors
Benefits
We recognise and value our employees as individuals and aim to provide a favourable pay and rewards package! We are committed to supporting employees' development and promote a culture of continuous learning!
A list of benefits below:
* An outstanding defined benefit pension scheme
* 30 days' annual leave in addition to 10.5 public and privilege days (full time equivalent)
* Employee discounts and offers on retail and leisure activities
* Employee assistance programme, providing confidential help and advice
* Flexible working options
Plus many more benefits and wellbeing initiatives that enable our employees to have a great work life balance!
UKRI is an Equal Opportunity & Disability Confident Employer.
How to apply:
For full details, please visit our careers site. Please submit an application including your CV and a Cover Letter that showcases how your skills and experience align to the requirements of the role.
A well thought through application providing evidence and examples of how you meet the advertised essential and desirable criteria for the post will be considered far more favourably than a generic covering letter and CV.
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